Insight Interview: Blure

We caught up with amazing Blure recently to talk about music, influences and the future. Check out his story here…

Hey Blure, thanks so much for agreeing to an interview. Where are you based? Do you tend to travel a lot, or are you firmly rooted at home?

Hello Antony, thank you very much for inviting me, you are very kind. I’m from Caracas, Venezuela. I don’t travel too much. I spend most of my time in home.

Can you recall your first real exposure to music?

Sadly I don’t remember anything specific. But music has been always present in my life. My grandmother was a music teacher and she was obsessed that I had to learn how to play any instrument, so she bought me a flute when I was a child. I didn’t liked it at that time, I have always been a lover of the keyboard and the strings.

How and when did you first begin writing and creating music?

I started in 2013. I got this cracked version of FL Studio 10 and started recreating music that I liked by that time, doing beats for friends, and writing random melodies in the piano roll. I was quite obsessed with chillstep by that time and artist like Blackmill and MitiS, so I was making those type of songs.

Have you made or released music under any other name?

Yes, I used to share my music in a blog under the name of DJ LV, and CRiZ.

Can you describe your music for us?

I call it chillout music, but it fits in the ambient tag, since it’s the style I’ve adopted little by little. I believe I could describe it as small pieces of music and memories that try to somehow find themselves in the listener. However, it is an honor to know how other people can describe/perceive it.

Have you played live recently? Would you like to do more shows or tours in future? Anything coming up soon you’d like to tell us about?

I’ve never played live, but I would love to someday. It would be awesome.

What have been your biggest influences?

The list is quite long, but I would like to name a few; bands like Slowdive, Lush and The Daysleepers; and artist like MitiS, Aphex Twin, Federico Durand, Burial, Owsey, Submerse and Stumbleine has been part of my influences. I find a lot of inspiration in their records.

Do you think producing electronic music requires technical or creative skill? Or both?

Both, indeed. Both skills go hand in hand.

Do you tend to find the creative process a cathartic or therapeutic experience? Has creating music helped you cope with difficult times in your life?

It has helped me a lot in hard moments. Music doesn’t makes me feel happy instantly, but it makes things less sad. It can be therapeutic, and also a refuge; like taking long walks in the beach or the streets.

Any collaborations, remixes or joint projects on the horizon?

Yes. I’ll be working with my friend Skyvoice again. Some collaborations with Eternall, Kisnou, Menual and Spaceouters very soon.

Any new genres or musical styles you’d like to explore in future?

I’ve always wanted to try Synthwave and Electro House. I’ve been a fan of those two genres for a long time, but the things I make never meet my expectations. I keep trying though.

Do you have any thoughts on the future of electronic music? Do you think the scene will evolve further?

I always get excited when thinking about it. When I play some random playlist on youtube channels or Soundcloud, I find a lot of incredible musicians that really need recognition. I feel so tiny and amazed to be surrounded by such talented people. Really, thanks to all the promoters who help bring these gems to the surface. The future of the scene will be incredible, I’m sure.

Any new releases coming our way?

Probably this month or next month. I’m very excited to release new music.

Any artists or other individuals / collectives you’ve not worked with yet that you’d like to work with in future?

Yes, I love Inspected and Project Mooncircle, almost every release from them, I’d like to release something there someday. Also I’d love to work with Azaleh, Jan Amit, Stray Theories, Bvdub, Soular Order, in the future. I’m a big fan of their music, it would be a big honor.

Do you have a favourite track / song of all time? Favourite artist?

It’s hard to pick one, but probably MitiS – Written Emotions. Favorite artist: Submerse, bvdub, stumbleine.

It’s been said that a life in music can be a hard one. Would you agree with that?

It’s hard. Deciding to depend on music is a rough and brave decision. Sadly, plays or likes do not help you pay your debts at all, I think. Although and despite everything, this is not impossible.

Do you have any words of advice for aspiring young producers?

Don’t compare yourself to other artists; it’s something that kills you silently. It’s frustrating to not sound like you want, think that maybe what you do is not good enough but everything comes at its time if you keep at it. The most important thing is to clean the knees and keep walking. Enjoy the journey. Make friends and connections.

Do not forget to share time with your loved ones. The artist’s life can become a little lonely, sometimes. Maybe we do not realize it, but we stop sharing special moments with our people. Within what fits, allow yourself to be happy.

Any other projects on the horizon that you’d like to tell us about?

Nothing more than the collaborations that I mentioned in a previous question.

And finally – are there any tracks / artists that are relatively unknown that you’d like people to know about?

Yes, probably some names might be known but they really deserve the mention; Spaceouters, Xandra, Stay, Endeavor, Warmth, Kerri, Federico Durand, Spheriá, Kisnou, DM Galaxy, Death & Rebirth, Solace, Michael FK, Skyvoice, Whithe, 100 Day Delay, Vesky, Sublab, Menual, Eternall, Sora, Powlos, Blut Own, The Aurora Principle, We Are All Astronauts. I’m sure I’m forgetting a few, but I’ve always been stuck with these. I’d be glad if everyone could check their music.

Thanks so much Blure!

Cheers man, thank you very much for this chance.

Blure’s wonderful music is available here and here.